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Xavi has decided that he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season

Published

3 months ago

January 27, 2024

Barcelona manager Xavi decided to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

Xavi revealed his decision in a press conference following Barcelona’s 5-3 loss at home to Villarreal on Saturday, in which they surrendered a 3-2 lead with the concession of two stoppage time goals..

The 44-year-old stated that the situation at Barcelona ‘needs to change’ and added that he ‘has reached the point of no return’.

Xavi: “I will leave Barcelona in June”.

“We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Cule, I think that it’s time to leave”.

“I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June”.

“I made my decision to leave at the end of the season a few days ago, but now I have decided to announce it.”

“I think that we can still have a good season in my last four months here.”

“I don’t want to be a problem for the club, and the best thing is to leave after June. I was the solution two years ago, but now leaving is the best option.”

“This club needs a change of dynamic. Leaving Barça is the best decision possible for all parties involved”.

“I’m the most responsible one, so the players will finally feel free now”.

“Barcelona is above everything else and I am resigning because I love Barcelona.”

“I will not change my mind even if we win the Champions League.”

“I will take a break after this season. Me and my family have suffered too much in these couple of years. I want to be with them.”

“At least you won’t judge me anymore, as you already know that I’m leaving in a few months. Everything will be calmer.”

“The club will improve with this decision”.

“I want to thank Laporta for his confidence in me. He’s the best.”

“You asked me many times that if I’d be the Sir Alex Ferguson of Barca… the truth is that it will NEVER happen here”.

“You guys won’t allow it — being Barca coach is so difficult”.

“You see how they kill you, they criticize you, it affects you”.

“I tried.”

Xavi’s call will likely come as a shock to his squad, who have consistently backed him, despite their mixed form across all competitions so far this season.

His current contract was due to expire in 2025 and the search for his successor will now begin, before the end of the current campaign, as part of major changes in Catalonia.

Xavi, who enjoyed an illustrious career at Barcelona as a player, returned to the club as manager in November 2021.

Last season he won the LaLiga title and the Supercopa de Espana, but there have been many disappointing performances this campaign.

Barcelona have lacked consistency this season and are currently in third place in LaLiga, with the defeat to Villarreal leaving them ten points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

In addition to their problems in the league, Barcelona were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao at the quarter-finals stage.

They return to the Champions League on February 21 with a first leg last 16 clash against Italian champions Napoli.